Abstract

A series of 72 consecutive cases of colonic diverticulosis encountered in office practice has been reviewed in order to ascertain the incidence of the abnormality and the frequency with which symptoms and complications are to be anticipated in the ambulant patient. The study affords an interesting comparison with functional colonic disturbances in relation to age and race incidence. Previous bowel habit of these patients has been carefully analyzed and reveals a lesser incidence of constipation than that ordinarily recorded. Diarrhea occurred in a surprisingly large number of our patients. Our statistics support the contention that diverticulosis produces symptoms from time to time in most cases. The relationship of symptoms to the number, location and size of the pouches is of interest, particularly in those with diverticulitis. Cases with diverticulitis have been segregated and analyzed. Attention is drawn to a type of roentgen defect which may follow an attack of severe diverticulitis and which we have not seen described in the literature. The review tends to establish the more frequent occurrence of bleeding from the bowel than is generally appreciated. A follow-up in these office cases has indicated the rarity of severe complications and of concomitant carcinoma.